Splice Loss
Definition:
during the calculation of an optical loss budget, the amount of optical loss attributed to splices in the link under test.
Splice loss is specified by cabling standards that base link budget calculation on the passive components of the link under test;
examples of this type of standard are the TIA-568 and the ISO IEC 11801. Splices can be either mechanical or fusion, and can be
located anywhere along the link under test.
Units:
dB per splice
Calculation:
(number of splices) x (dB loss per splice)
System Overhead
Definition:
the difference between the Measured Power and the Minimum Required Power. System Overhead is also known as
headroom. With a PASS rating, System Overhead shows how much additional loss a link can bear before it will fail. With a FAIL
rating, System Overhead shows how much optical loss must be overcome before it will pass.
Units:
dB
Calculation:
(Measured Power) - (Minimum Required Power)
Patch
Panel
Link Under Test
Patch
Panel
Splice
some connectors
splice technology for fiber termination,
®
such as the Unicam -compatible. These
connectors should be considered splices
when calculating optical loss budgets.
use mechanical
Total Allowable System Loss
Light
Source
Reference
Power (dBm)
INVALID
OPERATING
MARGIN **
Minimum
Required
Power (dBm)
Measured
Power (dBm)
PASS
Optical Loss
FAIL
OPERATING MARGIN
or
SYSTEM OVERHEAD
42
OWL REPORTER
INTERPRETING OWL REPORTER SCREENS AND REPORTS, cont.
